Table of Contents
At a glance
The Eero Mesh Wi-Fi System takes the cake for being the most budget-friendly and compact entry in this category.
This inexpensive mesh kit does remove some standard features found in other Wi-Fi mesh systems, but this is to be expected with how affordable the Eero mesh kit is sold in the market.
One of the most noticeable absences here is the speaker and microphone which is pretty standard and is present in popular Wi-Fi mesh kits from NETGEAR. Fortunately, this is not exactly a deal-breaker when it comes to mesh routers.
The Eero Mesh Kit is also available in a highly affordable 3-pack deal which makes it a great bargain for those looking for a mesh Wi-Fi system for their homes without spending an exuberant amount.
However, the crucial question here is whether the Eero provides the best bang for your buck? Yes, it is quite affordable, but does that also mean weaker performance? Well, there is only one way to find out, so let us get to it, shall we?
Main Features
Compact and Friendly Aesthetics
Amazon’s first Eero Mesh System was already one of the most compact models in the market; however, this newer generation series takes it a step further with an even sleeker appearance.
The smooth and round design with pristine white finish also gives the Eero a highly modern and minimalist appeal. Each Eero node only measures at around 3.9-inches in diameter and 2.4-inches in height, making it one of the smallest Wi-Fi mesh kits in the market at the moment.
This means that you can pretty much place it anywhere at home and it won’t take up any considerable space. The all-white design also helps it blend into the background.
If you are not a fan of overly complicated router designs, then the Eero is right up your alley. Heck, I can even see this being used as a lovely little artsy modern décor at home.
However, this simplicity in its design can also make the Eero look like a ‘plain Jane’ in comparison to other Wi-Fi mesh systems from other brands as it is only available in white.
It would have been nice to have more selection in regards to its color aesthetics as a sleek black one will look fantastic. One feature that I feel was a missed opportunity for Amazon’s Eero is the built-in speaker.
The compact and flexible placement option of the Eero makes it a great contender in the wireless sound system arena as well! Especially, considering that NETGEAR’s Wi-Fi mesh system comes with a built-in microphone, speaker, and even an amplifier.
Then again, we also have to consider that the Eero is considerably more affordable.
Designed for Wireless and Wired Connection
One aspect that the Eero delivered, and where other Wi-Fi mesh systems did not, is with its inclusion of Gigabit Ethernet ports.
Each Eero node comes with two Gigabit Ethernet ports which greatly expands LAN connectivity throughout your residence.
You can easily connect other desktop PCs and printers via Ethernet cable to an Eero node giving you a wired connection.
Other Wi-Fi mesh systems are wireless-only, so this feature is quite welcome. At the bottom of the unit is where you will find the Reset button if you wish to return the router/node to its factory setting.
Another notable element of Eero is how, according to the company, users can connect as many Eero nodes as they want to the network.
Of course, this is as long as your bandwidth can handle it, but that enhances the Eero’s flexibility in adapting to any environment, which is always an excellent factor to have.
We tested this by adding six nodes, and while we did notice a dip in throughput speeds, you should also consider the fact that we used a relatively slow network (10-15Mbps).
Setup
Quick and Easy Mesh Router Setup
Setting up the Eero router and node is incredibly simple. Since all Eero units are virtually identical, you can pick any from the three that come with the package.
Connect it to your modem via Ethernet cable, download the Eero app to your smartphone, and follow the Setup guide that pops up. This whole process will take you less than 5 minutes to complete.
The instruction found on the Eero app is simplified for beginners as well. As for the nodes, you will need to check the signal strength test found on the app to figure out the best placement.
This is vital to maximize the range of your Wi-Fi throughout your home. That pretty much wraps it up in regards to setting up the Eero mesh system for your home.
Like we said earlier, the Eero is designed with simplicity and convenience in mind, and it shows, especially in the installation process.
Functionalities and Features
Well-Rounded Functionality
With a size that can pretty much fit into your palm, the Eero is one of the most unassuming mesh router systems in the market.
Quite possibly, the most significant selling point for me with the Eero is the Ethernet ports that are found in all of the nodes.
This is an excellent feature for people like me who prefer wired connections for some of my devices.
Wired connectivity will significantly improve network stability, and for someone whose work revolves around the internet, this is a must-have factor when it comes to Wi-Fi mesh systems.
As for what the Eero brings to the table, this mesh router comes equipped with dual-band with 802.11ac wireless standards.
The Eero also comes with MU-MIMO technology to allow fast and stable connection for multiple devices at once.
Each node also comes with direct-to-client signal beamforming technology which optimizes the link between each satellite.
Also, of note is the automatic band steering capability which switches between 2.4GHz and 5GHz, depending on which radio band offers the best connection.
However, this also prevents users from manually choosing which wireless band to use as it is entirely automated.
Each Eero router/satellite features a robust 700MHz quad-core processor that offers up to 512MB of RAM and 4GB of flash storage. Theoretically, this allows the Eero to deliver 400Mbps with the 2.4GHz band and 866Mbps for the 5GHz band.
Those are substantial numbers. The automated switching is very convenient if you often move throughout the house as each node will automatically bounce you off from band to band, depending on which offers the best signal and stability.
Easy Network Connectivity and Convenience
The simplicity of the Eero Wi-Fi Mesh System is one of its strong points, but can also be seen as a drawback.
For those who want a simple and budget-friendly way to provide the internet throughout their substantially spacious abode, Eero might be the right choice.
Of course, the lower cost means it needed to drop some of the more advanced mesh router features.
The question is, are the absent features something that you need? In most cases, the lack of advanced features won’t be much of an issue, especially for those who are looking for a reliable and straightforward way to connect to the internet.
For those looking for higher levels of customization and top-tier speeds, the Eero may not be as appealing.
The Eero device has the Amazon Wi-Fi Simple Setup Feature, which pretty much streamlines and offers an automated router configuration experience.
With this feature enabled, the Eero will be able to connect to devices that have Alexa voice command features, giving the Eero voice control capabilities as well.
Take note though that a lot of Wi-Fi mesh systems already have this feature built into the device from the get-go.
Solid Security Features
The Eero Mesh System also sports a nifty smart-home integration feature which includes advanced security and parental controls.
This system uses WPA2 encryption rather than the current WPA3, which means you need to be careful when updating your router’s firmware.
While the default security might seem underwhelming, Eero offers a more advanced security protocol but at a price.
You can subscribe to a $2.99/month or $29.99/year Security feature which boosts the defenses of your network significantly. This also includes an Ad Block program which automatically blacklists websites with a dubious reputation.
You can also upgrade this subscription service to the Secure Plus version which increases the monthly fee to $9.99 or $99/year.
This upgrade will net users with the 1Password Manager as well as access to a highly secured VPN. Users who upgraded to Secure Plus will also receive a Malwarebytes Premium Antivirus.
This is a good deal as in most cases, that level of protection will cost more than $100 per year.
Especially if you don’t have a robust security system installed in your home network at the moment.
Additionally, the Eero Mesh System comes with a one-year warranty and a helpful customer service for inquiries and troubleshooting.
The Eero Help Center has also curated a bunch of articles regarding its hardware and software. Their official website is a one-stop-shop for every question that you might have regarding the device.
Performance
Standard Scores Across the Board
The main focus of the Eero Wi-Fi system is to eliminate dead zones in your home, and it achieves that goal quite nicely.
However, due to the relatively limited features and some last-gen wireless technology – the Eero is not precisely the fastest router around. Still, lightning-fast internet is not exactly the goal of the Eero Wi-Fi Mesh System.
The discreet design of the Eero makes placement anywhere in your home a possibility. You can easily cover a 5,000 square foot home with the three-pack version as each node can reach up to 1,500 square feet.
Couple that with the low-cost of the Eero and you have yourself a reliable and affordable mesh system.
Using a Speedtest program, we checked how well the Eero routers fair in a real-world situation. We first tested connecting our smartphone to an Eero device in the same room.
The throughput speed managed to clock in at 340Mbps. While not on par with the NETGEAR Orbi (550Mbps), this is still a pretty good number.
That said, on its own, the Eero router certainly has trouble maintaining a stable connection the farther away you get. There were significant drops with the throughput speeds with every 10 to 20-feet difference.
I can see now why the default package for the Eero comes with three units.
Price
Each Eero unit is priced at less than $99. The three-pack version is currently priced at $249, which is about almost half the price of previous Eero models and cheaper than its competition.
For what it brings to the table, I would say Eero is a good fit for large homes and users who need a decent way to connect to the internet.
If you are a power gamer, streamer, or prefer high-def and 4K quality videos – the Eero might fall short of your expectations.
Pros
Cons
Final Verdict
With its low-price tag and overall performance, I would rank the Eero Mesh System relatively high for casual users.
The user-friendly automated setting also makes this quite appealing for beginners.
The security protocol is pretty average, but you can significantly improve it by subscribing either to the standard monthly subscription or the upgraded one – both of which are also quite affordable.
Overall, the Eero Mesh System offers reliable wireless performance, but don’t expect anything close to what other high-end models, such as the NETGEAR Orbi, can deliver.